Cannula insertion sustaining systems and devices

Abstract

A cannula device for an ophthalmic surgical procedure includes a cannula configured to be inserted through a sclera of an eye and a disk structure configured to apply a force on the sclera to sustain a position of the cannula. A cannula insertion sustaining system for an ophthalmic procedure includes a cannula tube configured to be inserted through a sclera of an eye, an upper tube portion, and a connector tube coupled to the upper tube portion and to the cannula tube. The connector tube is configured to reduce an effective pulling vector force asserted on the cannula tube. A method of sustaining a position of a cannula in a sclera includes inserting the cannula through the sclera and engaging a support structure with the sclera to apply a force on the sclera.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cannula device for an ophthalmic surgical procedure, the device comprising:
 a cannula configured to be inserted through a sclera of an eye; and   a disk structure configured to apply a force on the sclera to sustain a position of the cannula.   
     
     
         2 . The cannula device of  claim 1 , wherein the force comprises at least one of surface tension forces, suction forces, adhesion forces, and vacuum forces. 
     
     
         3 . The cannula device of  claim 1 , wherein the disk structure comprises a circular disk structure configured to fit a curvature of an eye. 
     
     
         4 . The cannula device of  claim 1 , wherein the disk structure comprises a circular disk structure curved more than a curvature of an eye. 
     
     
         5 . The cannula device of  claim 1 , wherein the disk structure comprises a rim pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The cannula device of  claim 5 , wherein the rim pattern comprises a plurality of protrusions that extend radially outward from an arcuate portion of the disk structure. 
     
     
         7 . The cannula device of  claim 5 , wherein the rim pattern comprises a surface portion at an outer tip portion of the plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         8 . The cannula device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cannula body portion configured to be above a sclera of an eye. 
     
     
         9 . The cannula device of  claim 8 , wherein the cannula body portion comprises a plunger structure configured to create a vacuum force between the disk structure and a sclera. 
     
     
         10 . The cannula device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bellow portion configured to generate a vacuum force between the disk structure and a sclera. 
     
     
         11 . The cannula device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stepped cup configured to generate a vacuum force between the disk structure and a sclera. 
     
     
         12 . The cannula device of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum release apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . A cannula insertion sustaining system for an ophthalmic procedure, the system comprising:
 the cannula device of  claim 1 ;   a connector tube coupled to the cannula, the connector tube configured to reduce an effective pulling force on the cannula.   
     
     
         14 . A cannula insertion sustaining system for an ophthalmic procedure, the system comprising:
 a cannula tube configured to be inserted through a sclera of an eye;   an upper tube portion; and   a connector tube coupled to the upper tube portion and to the cannula tube, the connector tube configured to reduce an effective pulling vector force asserted on the cannula tube.   
     
     
         15 . The cannula insertion sustaining system of  claim 14 , wherein the connector tube is flexible to enable the connector tube to be curved. 
     
     
         16 . The cannula insertion sustaining system of  claim 14 , wherein the connector tube is flexible to enable the connector tube to be curved up to an angle. 
     
     
         17 . The cannula insertion sustaining system of  claim 14 , wherein the connector tube is curved at an angle. 
     
     
         18 . The cannula insertion sustaining system of  claim 14 , further comprising a plunger structure configured to create a vacuum force for sustaining a position of the cannula. 
     
     
         19 . The cannula insertion sustaining system of  claim 14 , further comprising a support structure configured to apply a force on the sclera, the force configured to enable the support structure to sustain a position of the cannula tube. 
     
     
         20 . The cannula insertion sustaining system of  claim 19 , wherein the force comprises at least one of surface tension forces, suction forces, adhesion forces, and vacuum forces. 
     
     
         21 . The cannula insertion sustaining system of  claim 19 , wherein the support structure comprises a disk structure.